The project is a key element of the £20m Martello Park housing estate being constructed on the 17.5-acre south seafront site.

Good progress is being made with the first phase of the 127 homes which are being built on the land as part of a deal between Suffolk Coastal council and Bloor Homes.

Councillors were previously told the arrangement would include around £2m-worth of public facilities, including the new park, play equipment, kiosks, car parks and lighting, as part of the agreement for the site, which was originally to have been used totally for leisure and tourism but no project was forthcoming.

This month Suffolk Coastal and Bloor will invite tenders for the public works from a list drawn up after an invitation was issued to companies in the autumn.

A council spokesman said: “It is anticipated that tenders will be invited in January and a contract awarded to enable works to commence in early April.”

Also as part of the agreement, Bloor will contribute towards the repair and refurbishment of the Martello Tower, with landscaping around it.

The maritime park will run from Sea Road to Manor Terrace and include play areas, picnic areas, wildlife areas and pedestrian routes. An area has also been designated for a potential beachside café.

Robert Whiting, cabinet member for resources, said: “Our role in this partnership was to ensure the best possible deal from the sale of the land and as part of our wider plans to regenerate Felixstowe, to gain some much-needed leisure attractions for this key part of the resort.

“We have achieved an exciting range of play facilities for children of all ages, whether they are visitors or those living in the proposed homes or other local residents.”